Vehicle window regulator mechanism

ABSTRACT

A vehicle window system for raising and lowering in a window opening in a vehicle body structure a window anel vertically divided into coplanar ventilation and visibility sections. The system includes a window regulator mechanism comprising a first regulator arm coupled to the ventilation system and a second regulator arm coupled to the visibility section. The regulator arms also are coupled to the window regulator mechanism gear sector through cam slot followers carried by the gear sector coacting with cam slots in the respective regulator arms. The respective followers when moved through the cam slots upon rotation of the gear sector in window opening direction cause the ventilation section to first be lowered to a predetermined position before the visibility section is lowered and upon rotation of the gear sector in window closing direction the visibility section reaches a fully raised position before the ventilation section starts to rise.

United States Marcuzzi atent 1 Jan. 14, 1975 VEHICLE WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM [75] Inventor: Anthony T. Marcuzzi, Windsor,

Ontario, Canada [73] Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 17, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 407,393

[52] US. Cl. 49/103, 49/351 [51] int. Cl E051 5/12 [58] Field of Search 49/103, 227, 349, 351

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,805,886 9/1957 Semar 49/351 X 3,745,703 7/1973 Francis et al. 49/103 Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John J, Roethel; Keith L. Zerschling [57] ABSTRACT A vehicle window system for raising and lowering in a window opening in a vehicle body structure a window anel vertically divided into coplanar ventilation and visibility sections. The system includes a window regulator mechanism comprising a first regulator arm coupled to the ventilation system and a second regulator arm coupled to the visibility section. The regulator arms also are coupled to the window regulator mechanism gear sector through cam slot followers carried by the gear sector coacting with cam slots in the respective regulator arms. The respective followers when moved through the cam slots upon rotation of the gear sector in window opening direction cause the ventila tion section to first be lowered to a predetermined position before the visibility section is lowered and upon rotation of the gear sector in window closing direction the visibility section reaches a fully raised position before the ventilation section starts to rise.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 1 M975 SHEET 10F 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,703 issued July 17, 1973 to Reid E. Francis and Anthony T. Marcuzzi for Vehicle Window Regulator Mechanism, for many years the front doors of automobile bodies made in the United States were equipped with a conventional window panel that could be vertically raised and lowered relative to a window opening and an auxiliary or ventilation panel forwardly of the 'main window panel. The ventilation panel was pivotable about a substantially vertical axis and could not be raised or lowered. With the advent of Windshields having a greater rearward slope, the use of pivoted vent windows fell somewhat in disfavor. For one thing, it was difficult to hinge the sharply triangular piece of glass that had to be used. Also, the pivotal vent window structure required at least on the abutting edge of the main panel a fixed metal frame or sealing strip to close the gap between the two pieces of glass. This created a conflict with the desire to use frameless windows, particularly on the hardtop models. As a result, the pivoted vent window was eliminated from many models and the front door window became a large single piece of glass, with or without a circumscribing frame.

The elimination of pivoted vent windows raised some objections from potential customers. The pivoted vent window provided a system that could be adjusted to give a desirable exhaust flow of air from the vehicle interior that has not been duplicated by other systems on the vehicle body. As recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 1,770,747 issued July 15, 1930 to William D. Crowell, the area immediately to the rear of the vehicle windshield pillar is a low pressure area in the vehicle air slipstream. An opening in this area provides an efficient means for exhausting air from the vehicle interior.

The Crowell patent discloses a vertical division of the window panel into independently movable sections so that the forward section can be raised or lowered to provide the desired amount of exhaust opening. In the Crowell disclosure, each window panel section is operated by an independent window regulator mechanism and each panel section is guided between fixed guide bars including a fixed division bar between the two window panel sections.

The Francis et al Pat. No. 3,745,703 discloses a window system in which a single regulator mechanism is utilized to lower or raise the independently movable window panel sections, the regulator mechanism having a pair of regulator arms coupled one each to the ventilation and visibility sections, respectively. The regulator arms also are coupled to the window regulator mechanism gear sector through respective pairs of followers and cam slots, one regulator arm having a cam slot engaged by a cam follower and the other arm having a cam follower engaged in a cam slot in the gear sector.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved construction and arrangement of the Francis et al mechanism characterized in that both cam followers are carried on the gear sector and are engaged with cam slots in the respective regulator arms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vehicle window regulator mechanism coupled to a window panel that is vertically divided into independently movable, substantially coplanar, visibility and ventilation sections. The window regulator mechanism for raising and lowering the panel comprises a mounting plate and a gear sector pivotally mounted on a first pivot shaft carried by the mounting plate. A first regulator arm is freely swingable interme' diate its ends on a second pivot shaft journalled on the mounting plate. The first regulator arm at one end is coupled to the ventilation section and at its other end has a first cam slot. A first cam follower mounted on the gear sector projects into the cam slot. A second regulator arm is fixedly coupled at one end to the second pivot shaft for swinging movement as the second shaft rotates in the mounting plate and is coupled at its other end to the visibility section. A second cam follower carried on the gear sector engages a second cam slot in the second regulator arm.

The respective followers and cam slots are programmed so that upon rotation of the gear sector in window opening direction the ventilation section is lowered to a predetermined position before the visibility section starts to open and upon rotation of the gear sector in window closing direction the visibility section reaches a fully raised position before the ventilation section starts to rise.

The window regulator mechanism includes a drive pinion means for dirving the gear sector about its pivot axis, the drive pinion means being driven either by a manual handcrank or by electric motor means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a vehicle window regulator mechanism as embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a semi-diagramatic view of the vehicle window regulator mechanism with parts thereof in positions corresponding to a lowered position of the ventilation section and a raised position of the visibility section of the window panel; and

FIG. 3 is a view in part similar to FIG. 2 with both window regulator support arms in the lowered position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a window panel, generally designated 11, coupled to a window regulator mechanism, generally designated 12. The window panel 11 is a two piece structure comprising a small ventilation window 13 movable in substantially coplanar relationship to a large main or visibility section 14. A guide track 15 is mounted on the edge of the visibility section 14 in which the ventilation section 13 is slidable. The visibility section 14 is guided in its raising or lowering movement by suitable guide devices and stabilizers which provide in and out as well as for and aft stability. The guide structure forms no part of the present invention and, accordingly, is not shown.

The window regulator mechanism 12 comprises, in part, a window regulator mounting plate 16 to which the rest of the regulator parts are attached. The mounting plate 16 is adapted to be mounted on a door panel (not shown) in any conventional manner.

The window regulator mechanism 12 is shown as a manual type having a crank handle 17 coupled to a drive pinion 18 for transmitting operating torque ota gear sector 19. It will be understood that a reversible electric motor could be substituted for the crank handle 17, as is well known in the art.

The gear sector 19 is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 21 carried at the lower end of the mounting plate 16. Intermediate its ends, the mounting plate 16 carries a second pivot shaft 22 which is journalled for rotation. The pivot shaft 22 supports a first regulator arm 23 and a second regulator arm 24.

The first regulator arm 23 is pivoted intermediate its ends and has an elongated arm portion 25 adapted to be coupled at 26 to the small or ventilation section 13 of the window panel 11. The regulator arm 23 has an enlarged section or end portion 27 angularly related to the longitudinal axis of the elongated arm 25. The enlarged section 27 has a cam slot 28 therein which is adapted to coact with a follower 39 carried on the gear sector 19.

The first regulator arm 23 is freely swingable about the pivot shaft 22, its position being controlled only by the follower 29 and cam slot 28 relationship, as will be explained.

The second regulator arm 24 is coupled at its one end 31 to the pivot shaft 22 whereby movement of the arm 24 will result in rotation of the shaft. At its free end 32 the arm 24 is connected by a suitable connection device 33 to the lower edge of the visibility section 14 of the window panel 11. Movement of the second regulator arm 24 is controlled by a cam follower 34 mounted on an extension 35 of the gear sector 19. The cam follower 34 coacts with a cam slot 36 in an appendage 37 to the second regulator arm 24.

The arm 24 and the weight of the window panel 14 are counterbalanced by a conventional counterbalance flat spiral or clock spring 38 which is connected at its inner end 39 to the shaft 22 and at its free end 41 to the regulator mounting plate 16.

The respective followers and cam slots are programmed so that upon rotation of the gear sector in window opening direction, i.e., in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, the ventilation section 13 is first lowered to a predetermined position before the visibility section 14 starts to open or move downwardly. Upon rotation of the gear sector 19 in window closing direction, the visibility section 14 reaches a fully raised position before the ventilation section 13 starts to rise.

More specifically, the cam slot 28 in the regulator arm 23 comprises a short section 42, a transitional section 43 and an elongated arcuate section 44 having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the first cam follower traverses about the gear sector 19 pivot axis. The cam slot 36in the appendage 37 of the arm 24 coacting with the second cam follower 34 on the gear sector 19 comprises an arcuate section 45 having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the second cam follower traverses about the gear sector pivot axis, a transitional section 46 and a straight inclined section 47.

OPERATION The lowering of the window panel 11 from the fully raised position shown in FIG. 1 is a two phase operation. In FIG. 1, the window panel 11 is shown in fully raised position and, correspondingly, the arm 23 and 24 of the window regulator mechanism 12 extend in an upwardly inclined direction. From this starting position the window may be lowered by turning the crank handle 17 in a counterclockwise direction. The counterclockwise rotation of the pinion 18 drives the gear sector 19 in a clockwise direction about its pivot axis 21.

It should be explained that the pivot shaft 22 on which the window regulator arms 23 and 24 are carried passes through the gear sector, the latter being provided with a cut-away portion to permit movement of the gear sector as it traverses the shaft 22.

As the gear sector 19 begins to turn in a clockwise direction, it causes relative movement between the cam follower 29 and the cam slot 28 as wiell as between the cam follower 34-and the cam slot 36. The relative movement between the cam follower 29 and the cam slot 28, especially in that phase of the movement in which the cam follower 29 moves back and forth in the straight portion 42 of the cam slot 28, results in the regulator arm 23 being swung in a counterclockwise direction causing the ventilation section 13 to be lowered. No movement of the visibility section 14 occurs be cause the cam slot 36 which coacts with the follower 34, is in an idle position relative to the latter. That is, the arcuate portion 45 on the cam slot 46' has a radius equal to the circular movement about the pivot shaft 21 of the gear sector. As a result, the follower 34 moves within the arcuate portion 45 of the cam slot without causing any corresponding movement of the window regulator arm 24.

As the rotation of the gear sector 19 is continued in a clockwise direction, the downward movement of the ventilation section 13 continues and-the visibilitysection 14 remains stationary until the transition sections of the cam slots 28 and 36 are reached. That is, the first cam follower 29 moving in the straight portion 42 of the cam slot 28 arrives at the corner or transition section 43 of the cam slot 28 and the follower 34 carried on the gear sector 19 arrives at the transition section 46 of the cam slot 35. These transition sections may be considered the start of the second phase of operation. In the second phase, the follower 29 begins to move in the arcuate section 44 of the cam slot 28. Simultaneously, the follower 34 comes under the influence of the inclined straight section 47 of the cam slot 36.

Reference is made to FIG. 2 in which the followers 29 and 34 are shown at the transition sections 43 and 46 of the respective cam slots 28 and 36.

The window regulator arm 23 is at its lowermost position and further relative movement between the follower 29 and the arcuate portion 44 of the cam slot 28 has no further effect on the arm 23 since the follower merely idles in the arcuate slot section 44. The arcuate section 44 has a radius about the gear sector pivot axis and is thus unable to influence the follower 29 which is carried on the gear sector 19. While the follower 29 is idling, however, it is able to hold the arm 23 and therefore the ventilation section 13 in a down position.

As to the visibility section 14, the arm 24 on which it is supported is now forced downwardly through the coaction between the follower 34 and the walls of the straight section 47 of the cam slot 36. This movement continues until the cam follower 34 is at the end of the straight section 47 of the slot 36.

Reference is made to FIG. 3 illustrating the relationship of the cam followers 29 and 34 to the slots 29 and 36 in a fully down position of both the visibility and ventilation sections of the window panel 14.

As arm 24 moves downwardly it causes the shaft 22 to turn winding up the counterbalance spring 36.

To raise the window panel 11, the crank handle 17 must be rotated in a clockwise direction to drive the gear sector 19 in a counterclockwise direction. The follower 34 travelling in the straight slot section 47 causes the arm 24 to be raised raising the visibility section 14 of the window panel 11. The cam follower 29 idles in the arcuate portion 44 of the cam slot 28 and there is no immediate response to the rotation ofthe gear sector 19 by the window regulator arm 23. Upon the transition sections 43 and 45 of the cam slots 28 and 36, respectively, being reached, the visibility section 14 will be in a fully raised position and the ventilation section 13 will be in condition to be raised. Continued rotation of the gear sector in the counterclockwise direction places the cam follower under the influence of the straight section 42 of the cam slot 28 and results in the arm 23 being swung in an upward direction to raise the ventilation section 13 of the window panel 11. As this is occurring, the cam follower 34 idles in the arcuate portion 45 of the cam slot 36 and thererfore exerts no influence on the window regulator arm 24.

Since both cam followers 29 and 34 are carried on the gear sector 19, accurate coordinated movement of the arms 23 and 24 is readily obtainable. The cam slots may be programmed on the basis that angular movements of the cam followers will be exactly equal during the phases of operation. That is, as sector 19 is rotated by the crank 17, both cam followers 29 and 34 will rotate with the sector. As cam follower 29 rotates in the cam slot 28, the arm will lower. As cam follower 34 rotates in cam slot 36 the same angular degrees as cam follower 29, the arm 24 will remain in the up position shown in FIG. 1.

As the transition points 42-46 are passed and as cam follower 34 continues to rotate in cam slot 36, the arm 24 will lower. As cam follower 29 continues to rotate in cam slot 28 the same angular degrees as cam follower 34, the arm 25 will remain stationary or in its down position, see FIG. 3.

It will be readily apparent that the ventilation section 13 may be lowered to any desired position without causing movement of the visibility section 14 of the window panel 11. For example, it only would be necessary to turn the crank 17 in a counterclockwise direction a distance sufficient to rotate the gear sector 19 to the FIG. 2 position of the latter at which the ventilation section 13 is dropped below the visibility panel section 14. Then by reversing direction or rotation of the crank 17, the ventilation panel 13 may be raised back to a fully closed position of interrupted and halted at any position inbetween. The visiblity section 14 cannot be lowered without first lowering the ventilation section 13 to the bottom of its travel. The visibility section 14, however, then may be lowered any desired degree from a fully raised to a fully lowered position and then its direction of movement reversed at will.

The invention disclosure will have many modifica- 6 tions which will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings of this specification. It is intended that all modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention be included within the scope of the appended claims;

I claim:

1. A vehicle window regulator mechanism coupled to a window panel that is vertically divided into independently movable, substantially coplanar, visibility and ventilation sections,

the window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate,

a gear sector pivotally mounted on a first pivot shaft carried by the mounting plate,

a first regulator arm freely swingable intermediate its ends on a second pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate,

the first regulator arm at one end being coupled to the ventilation section and at its other end having a cam slot,

a second regulator arm fixedly coupled at one end to the second pivot shaft for swinging movement as the second shaft rotates in the mounting plate,

the second regulator arm being coupled at its other end to the visibility section,

the second regulator arm having an appendage having a cam slot therein,

and drive pinion means, for rotating the gear sector about the pivot axis of the first pivot shaft,

wherein the improvement comprises:

a first and a second cam follower mounted on the gear sector for movement through equal angular degrees of rotation about the gear sector pivot axis upon rotation of the gear sector,

the first and second cam followers moving through the cam slots in the first and second regulator arms, respectively, so that upon rotation of the gear sector in window opening direction the ventilation section is lowered to a predetermined positionbefore the visibility section is lowered and upon rotation of the gear sector in window closing direction the visibility section reaches a fully raised position before the ventilation section starts to rise,

the shift of movement from the one panel section to the other occurring at the same angular degree of rotation of the cam follower relative to the initial position of the followers in window closed position of the panel sections.

2. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 1, in which:

the cam slot in the first regulator arm comprises a short straight section, a transitional section and an elongated arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the first cam follower traverses about the gear sector pivot axis,

whereby, upon the gear sector being rotated in ventilation section lowering direction, the first cam follower on the gear sector moves longitudinally of the short straight section in engagement with the side edges of the latter to drive the first regulator arm in ventilation section lowering direction to cause the ventilation section to drop to the predetermined position,

and after reaching and passing through the transitional section the first cam follower moves through the elongated arcuate section while holding the ventilation section at the predetermined position.

3. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 2, in which:

the cam slot in the second regulator arm coacting with the second cam follower on the gear sector comprises an arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the second cam follower traverses about the gear sector pivot axis, a transitional section and an elongated, straight section,

whereby, upon the gear sector being rotated in visibility section lowering direction, the second cam follower carried by the gear sector arm moves in the arcuate section of the slot without transmitting movement to the visibility section until the transitional section is reached,

and, as the sector rotates further, the cam follower moves from the transitional section and travels in the straight section of the slot causing the visibility section to drop.

4. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 3, in which:

a counterbalance spring means is coupled to the second pivot shaft to counterbalance the weight of the visibility section of the window panel.

5. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 1, in which:

the cam slot in the first regulator arm comprises a short straight section, a transitional section and an elongated arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the first cam follower follows about the gear sector pivot axis,

the cam slot in the second regulator arm coacting with the second cam follower on the gear sector comprises an arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the second cam follower follows about the gear sector pivot axis, a transitional section and an elongated straight section;

whereby, upon the gear sector being rotated in window panel lowering direction,

the first cam follower on the gear sector as it moves longitudinally of the short straight section of the slot in the first regulator arm to the transitional section causes the ventilation section to drop to the predetermined position,

and the second cam follower carried by the gear sector as it moves in the arcuate section of the slot in the second regulator arm to the transitional section of the slot does so without transmitting movement to the visibility section of the window panel,

and, further, upon the gear sector being rotated in continuous window panel lowering direction,

the first cam follower on the gear sector after reaching and passing through the transitional section of the slot in the first regulator arm moves through the arcuate section of the latter without causing further lowering movement of the ventilation section,

and simultaneouslu the second cam follower carried by the gear sector moves from the transitional section of the slot in the second regulator arm through the-elongated straight section of the latter to cause the visibility section to drop to a fully lowered position. 

1. A vehicle window regulator mechanism coupled to a window panel that is vertically divided into independently movable, substantially coplanar, visibility and ventilation sections, the window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate, a gear sector pivotally mounted on a first pivot shaft carried by the mounting plate, a first regulator arm freely swingable intermediate its ends on a second pivot shaft journalled in the mounting plate, the first regulator arm at one end being coupled to the ventilation section and at its other end having a cam slot, a second regulator arm fixedly coupled at one end to the second pivot shaft for swinging movement as the second shaft rotates in the mounting plate, the second regulator arm being coupled at its other end to the visibility section, the second regulator arm having an appendage having a cam slot therein, and drive pinion means for rotating the gear sector about the pivot axis of the first pivot shaft, wherein the improvement comprises: a first and a second cam follower mounted on the gear sector for movement through equal angular degrees of rotation about the gear sector pivot axis upon rotation of the gear sector, the first and second cam followers moving through the cam slots in the first and second regulator arms, respectively, so that upon rotation of the gear sector in window opening direction the ventilation section is lowered to a predetermined position before the visibility section is lowered and upon rotation of the gear sector in window closing direction the visibility section reaches a fully raIsed position before the ventilation section starts to rise, the shift of movement from the one panel section to the other occurring at the same angular degree of rotation of the cam follower relative to the initial position of the followers in window closed position of the panel sections.
 2. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 1, in which: the cam slot in the first regulator arm comprises a short straight section, a transitional section and an elongated arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the first cam follower traverses about the gear sector pivot axis, whereby, upon the gear sector being rotated in ventilation section lowering direction, the first cam follower on the gear sector moves longitudinally of the short straight section in engagement with the side edges of the latter to drive the first regulator arm in ventilation section lowering direction to cause the ventilation section to drop to the predetermined position, and after reaching and passing through the transitional section the first cam follower moves through the elongated arcuate section while holding the ventilation section at the predetermined position.
 3. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 2, in which: the cam slot in the second regulator arm coacting with the second cam follower on the gear sector comprises an arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the second cam follower traverses about the gear sector pivot axis, a transitional section and an elongated, straight section, whereby, upon the gear sector being rotated in visibility section lowering direction, the second cam follower carried by the gear sector arm moves in the arcuate section of the slot without transmitting movement to the visibility section until the transitional section is reached, and, as the sector rotates further, the cam follower moves from the transitional section and travels in the straight section of the slot causing the visibility section to drop.
 4. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 3, in which: a counterbalance spring means is coupled to the second pivot shaft to counterbalance the weight of the visibility section of the window panel.
 5. A vehicle window regulator mechanism according to claim 1, in which: the cam slot in the first regulator arm comprises a short straight section, a transitional section and an elongated arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the first cam follower follows about the gear sector pivot axis, the cam slot in the second regulator arm coacting with the second cam follower on the gear sector comprises an arcuate section having a radius equal to the radius of the circular path the second cam follower follows about the gear sector pivot axis, a transitional section and an elongated straight section; whereby, upon the gear sector being rotated in window panel lowering direction, the first cam follower on the gear sector as it moves longitudinally of the short straight section of the slot in the first regulator arm to the transitional section causes the ventilation section to drop to the predetermined position, and the second cam follower carried by the gear sector as it moves in the arcuate section of the slot in the second regulator arm to the transitional section of the slot does so without transmitting movement to the visibility section of the window panel, and, further, upon the gear sector being rotated in continuous window panel lowering direction, the first cam follower on the gear sector after reaching and passing through the transitional section of the slot in the first regulator arm moves through the arcuate section of the latter without causing further lowering movement of the ventilation section, and simultaneouslu the second cam follower carried by the gear sector moves from the transitional section of the slot in the second regulatoR arm through the elongated straight section of the latter to cause the visibility section to drop to a fully lowered position. 